The Lye and Wollescote Cemetery Chapels, now known as the Thomas Robinson Building, in Cemetery Road, Lye is a Grade II listed building in recognition of its architectural and historical importance as part of the UK's national heritage. It is a rare surviving example of a cemetery chapel designed to incorporate two chapels within a single building.
The associated cemetery continues in use but the nonconformist chapel was closed in the 1970s and the Church of England chapel closed following a fire in 1993 which caused minor damage to the interior.
This historically important building was at risk until the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust (WMHBT) refurbished the building, between 2015 and 16. It is now in use, in a secular capacity, as a registration office.
The building was officially opened on 28th March 2017 by HRH the Duke of Gloucester.More details about the restoration project can be seen on our Project page.
Join the Friends of Lye and Wollescote Cemetery
Help to maintain and enhance the cemetery, learn new skills and meet new people. Join the Friends to tidy the graves on the first Saturday of every month from 9.30 am to around 12.30 pm.
Visit our Get Involved page for more information or email Sue Smith at: s.smith356@btinternet.com.
Part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund with partnership funding from W A Cadbury Charitable Trust, The Owen Family Trust and the Society of Antiquaries of London.
Also supported by Dudley Council and WMHBT volunteer members.
Read more
Awards
Winner of the Victorian Society’s 2018 Birmingham & West Midlands Conservation Award. Full details are on the Victorian Society's web site
Winner of a Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award 2018. Read more on the Civic Trust web site.
Highly Commended in the Community Benefit Category of the RICS Awards 2017. Read the Online brochure
Shortlisted for an 'Angel Award' in 2016.
All deserving accolades to the contractors, Trust members and volunteers who worked hard to make this project successful.
